JP7638726B2 - Image forming apparatus, control method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of executing a job stored in association with a user, a control method , a program , and a storage medium .

In recent years, with the spread of high-performance mobile terminals such as smartphones, scan functions, print functions, etc. that enable instructions to printers are provided as standard OS functions for these mobile terminals. For example, to execute a function to send a scanned document to a specified destination, an image forming device on the LAN is searched for, and a transmission job is generated by adding the destination email address set by the user and various scan setting information (e.g., color, double-sided). By sending the generated transmission job to the image forming device having the searched transmission function, it is possible to instruct the image forming device to execute a series of processes required for transmission from the mobile terminal. At this time, network communication between the mobile terminal and the image forming device is established according to a communication protocol such as TCP/IP, NFC, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc., and can be realized by known technology.

For security reasons, image forming devices also have a print function called hold print. The image forming device does not immediately output a print job submitted from the printer driver, but temporarily stores the print job in a hard disk area allocated as a queue for holding print jobs within the image forming device. After authenticating a user, the image forming device displays a list of the user's print jobs on the operation unit. The image forming device prints the print job that the user selects from the list and instructs to print.

Furthermore, there is a technology called automatic printing after authentication, which automatically prints the authenticated user's print job without the user issuing a print command if the user authentication is successful. This technology is effective as an efficient means of printing, as it executes printing without the user having to select a print job or issue a print command on the operation unit.

Regarding the execution of a scan job from a mobile terminal, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for restricting the execution of a job that includes a scanning operation from a mobile terminal when the job is registered before authentication is completed.

JP 2015-177214 A

In Patent Document 1, in order to execute a scan job on the image forming device, user authentication is performed on the image forming device using a mobile terminal. Here, consider a case where the image forming device is set to enable automatic printing after authentication as described above. In a state where a job such as a print job that is to be automatically executed in response to successful user authentication is stored, a job execution request is received to execute a job other than the job. Then, when user authentication on the image forming device is successful using the user information included in the job execution request, not only the job related to the job execution request but also the stored job is executed. In other words, in response to user authentication performed to execute a job specified by the user on the mobile terminal, even jobs that have already been stored are executed, which may be annoying for the user, such as not noticing the output.

In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a mechanism for preventing a job other than the job related to a job execution request from being executed in response to successful user authentication based on a job execution request from an information processing terminal.

In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises:
an authentication processing means for performing authentication processing using user information;
a receiving means for receiving from an information processing terminal a job execution request for requesting execution of a job different from the stored job stored in the storage means in association with the user;
and controlling the image forming apparatus to execute the stored job based on a successful authentication process by the authentication processing unit using user information input by an operation on the image forming apparatus, even if there is no instruction operation to execute the stored job, and
a control means for controlling the stored job not to be executed without an instruction operation for executing the stored job even if the authentication processing means has successfully performed an authentication process using user information received from the information processing terminal together with the job execution request;
having
The receiving means receives the job execution request from the information processing terminal that has successfully passed a second type of authentication process for starting communication with the information processing terminal and started communication .

The present invention makes it possible to prevent a job other than the job related to the job execution request from being executed in response to successful user authentication based on a job execution request from an information processing terminal.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a data processing device 101. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 104. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the software configuration of the data processing device 101. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the image forming apparatus 104. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of connecting the data processing device 101 to the image forming device 104. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the data processing apparatus 101 making a request to the image forming apparatus 104 to execute a scan job. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a scan job execution process of the image forming apparatus 104. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a print job submission process of the data processing apparatus 101. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed after a print instruction is issued. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a print job storage process of the image forming apparatus 104. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an exception condition setting screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a bibliographic information table. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an automatic printing process after local authentication of the image forming apparatus 104. FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a login screen. FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a user management table. FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a setting screen for automatic printing after local authentication. 13 is an example of a connection screen for an image forming apparatus displayed on a display 214 of the data processing apparatus. 13 is an example of a scan execution screen displayed on a display 214 of the data processing apparatus 101. FIG. 4 illustrates an example of job execution information.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as claimed, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to this embodiment. The information processing system 100 is composed of a data processing device 101, a wireless LAN terminal 102, an image forming device 104, and a cloud server 105, which are connected via a network 103.

The data processing device 101 is an information processing terminal such as a smartphone, and may run an operating system for small terminals or a program that controls telephone calls and data communications. Alternatively, it may be a personal computer (PC) that does not have voice control, position detection control, mobile phone data communications, etc. The data processing device 101 is also connected to the network 103 via a wireless LAN terminal 102.

The wireless LAN terminal 102 is a wireless LAN parent device with a general network router function, and provides wireless LAN via Wi-Fi within a home, office, etc. The image forming device 104 is a digital multifunction device equipped with various job execution functions such as a printer function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a fax transmission function. By operating the data processing device 101, a user can instruct the image forming device 104 to execute a job and execute various functions of the image forming device 104.

The cloud server 105 manages data used by the data processing device 101 and the image forming device 104, and performs various functions of the data processing device 101 and the image forming device 104 via the network 103. The information processing system 100 of this embodiment may be configured without the cloud server 105.

In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 104 and the cloud server 105 are connected to the network 103 by wire, but may be connected wirelessly using the wireless LAN terminal 102, as in the case of the data processing apparatus 101. Furthermore, the data processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 104 are capable of short-distance wireless communication via wireless signals such as NFC (Near Field Communication) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). The image forming apparatus 104 has information (such as an IP address or MAC address) for wireless LAN connection with the image forming apparatus 104 in an NFC communication unit or BLE communication unit described later, and the data processing apparatus 101 acquires the connection information by short-distance wireless communication. Then, communication between the data processing apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 104 is started based on the acquired information.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a data processing device 101 according to this embodiment.

The data processing device 101 has a controller unit 201. The controller unit 201 controls various communication units such as an NFC communication unit 210, a BLE communication unit 211, and a wireless LAN communication unit 212, as well as various UI units such as a microphone/speaker 213, a display 214, and an input device 215 such as a touch panel, a mouse, and a keyboard.

The controller unit 201 is composed of a CPU 202, a ROM 203, a RAM 204, a network I/F 205, an audio control unit 206, a display control unit 207, an input control unit 208, and a storage device 209, which are connected by a system bus 216.

The CPU 202 controls the entire system of the data processing device 101. The ROM 203 stores the operating system of the data processing device 101 and applications that control calls and data communications, and the CPU 202 executes various programs. The RAM 204 is a memory for the CPU 202 to execute various programs, and is a work memory area in which applications execute programs. The storage device 209 is a non-volatile storage device, and records various operation mode settings and operation logs that need to be retained even after the data processing device 101 is restarted.

The network I/F 205 is connected to an NFC communication unit 210, a BLE communication unit 211, and a wireless LAN communication unit 212, and controls various wireless communications with the image forming apparatus 104 and the cloud server 105. The audio control unit 206 controls the input and output of audio data via a microphone/speaker 213. The display control unit 207 controls the output of image data displayed on a display 214. The input control unit 208 controls the input of information instructed by the user via a button or input device 215. Using the audio control unit 206, display control unit 207, and input control unit 208, various applications executed by the data processing device 101 are provided to the user.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming device 104 in this embodiment.

The image forming device 104 has a controller unit 301, which controls various communication units such as an NFC communication unit 310, a BLE communication unit 311, and a wireless LAN communication unit 312, as well as an operation unit 307, a scanner 313, and a printer 314.

When a user uses the copy function, the controller unit 301 controls the scanner 313 to acquire image data of an original document, and controls the printer 314 to print and output the image on paper. When a user uses the scan function, the controller unit 301 controls the scanner 313 to acquire image data of an original document, converts it into code data, and transmits it to the data processing device 101, the cloud server 105, or the like via the network 103. When a user uses the print function, the controller unit 301 receives image data (code data) from the data processing device 101, the cloud server 105, or the like via the network 103. The controller unit 301 then converts the received print data into image data and transmits it to the printer 314. The printer 314 prints and outputs the image on paper based on the received image data.

The image forming device 104 also has a fax receiving function that receives data from an ISDN or the like and prints it, and a fax sending function that sends scanned data to an ISDN or the like. The controller unit 301 also stores the received print data in the HDD 305, and prints the stored print data when the user issues a print instruction for the data from the operation unit 307. Alternatively, the image forming device 104 also has a hold print function that prints only the print data stored in association with the authenticated user by authenticating the user. The instruction to execute a process for each of these functions is called a job, and the image forming device 104 executes a specified process according to the job corresponding to each function.

The controller unit 301 is composed of a CPU 302, a RAM 303, a ROM 304, a HDD 305, an operation unit I/F 306, a network I/F 308, and a device I/F 309, which are connected by a system bus 315.

The CPU 302 controls the entire system of the image forming apparatus 104. The RAM 303 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 302, and is an image memory for temporarily storing image data. The RAM 303 also stores programs and data such as the operating system, system software, and application software. The ROM 304 stores the system boot program. The hard disk drive (HDD) 305 is a storage unit that stores the operating system, system software, application software, image data, setting data, and the like. The HDD 305 also stores scanned image data read by the scanner 313 and print image data received from the data processing apparatus 101 via the network 103. Note that job data such as print image data received from the data processing apparatus 101 via the network 103 may be saved in an external storage, and the image forming apparatus 104 may execute a job based on the job data received from the external storage.

The operation unit I/F 306 is an interface with the operation unit 307, and outputs information to be displayed on the operation unit 307 to the operation unit 307. It also accepts information input by the user from the operation unit 307. The network I/F 308 is connected to the NFC communication unit 310, the BLE communication unit 311, and the wireless LAN communication unit 312, and controls various wireless communications with the data processing device 101 and the cloud server 105. The wireless LAN communication unit 312 forms a wireless LAN with the data processing device 101 via the network 103. In addition, the NFC communication unit and the BLE communication unit 311 form short-range wireless communications with the data processing device 101 via wireless signals. The image forming device 104 transmits and receives job setting information and image data to and from the data processing device 101 via the network I/F 308, and executes jobs by receiving execution commands for various functions of the image forming device 104. The device I/F 309 connects the controller unit 301 to a scanner 313 and a printer 314 that read and print image data, and inputs and outputs image data.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the data processing device 101 in this embodiment.

The application 401 is software executed by the CPU 202 of the data processing device 101 and is stored in the ROM 203 or the like.

The user interface (UI) control unit 402 accepts job setting information input by the user via the input device 215, and transmits it to the job setting management unit 406 via the input control unit 208. The UI control unit 402 also receives responses from the job setting management unit 406 and the job control unit 407, and outputs it to the display 214 via the display control unit 207. The UI control unit 402 also accepts authentication information input by the user via the input device 215, and transmits it to the authentication setting management unit 403 via the input control unit 208. The authentication setting management unit 403 transmits the authentication information to the network control unit 405 based on the user information received from the UI control unit 402. The authentication information is used in the authentication process in the image forming apparatus 104, which will be described later, via the network 103.

The device connection unit 404 establishes short-distance wireless communication of NFC or BLE between the data processing device 101 and the image forming device 104, and wireless LAN communication via the network 103. For example, in the case of NFC, the user brings the NFC communication unit 210 of the data processing device 101 and the NFC communication unit 310 of the image forming device 104 close to each other and touches them to start short-distance wireless communication. In the case of BLE, the user brings the BLE communication unit 211 of the data processing device 101 close to the BLE communication unit 311 of the image forming device 104, and the device connection unit 404 determines that the BLE strength is within a distance of a certain strength or more, and starts short-distance wireless communication. In this way, the device connection unit 404 acquires device information of the image forming device 104 by the user performing an operation (called a touch operation) of bringing the NFC or BLE communication units of the data processing device 101 and the image forming device 104 close to each other. Based on the acquired device information, a wireless LAN connection is initiated with the image forming device 104 via the network 103.

The network control unit 405 transmits job settings, job execution instruction commands, image data, user authentication information, and the like to the image forming apparatus 104 via the network 103. Furthermore, the network control unit 405 receives job setting information stored in the image forming apparatus 104 via the network 103. The job setting management unit 406 stores the job setting information input by the user via the UI control unit 402 and the job setting information received by the network control unit 405 from the image forming apparatus 104 or the cloud server 105 in the RAM 204 or the storage device 209. At this time, the job setting management unit 406 manages this job setting information as "favorites" as settings that the user frequently uses. Furthermore, the job setting management unit 406 manages the job settings stored in the RAM 204 or the storage device 209 when the application 401 is installed as "presets".

The job control unit 407 generates job execution instruction information from the job settings such as "favorites" and "presets" registered in the job setting management unit 406, and transmits a job execution request to the image forming device 104 via the network 103. The job control unit 407 also acquires the job execution status and the operating status of the scanner 313 and printer 314 devices from the image forming device 104 via the network 103, and transmits them to the UI control unit 402.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing the software configuration of the image forming device 104 in this embodiment.

The system software 501 is software executed by the CPU 302 of the image forming device 104 and is stored in the RAM 303.

The user interface (UI) control unit 502 accepts job setting information input by the user via the operation unit 307 and transmits it to the job setting management unit 506. The UI control unit 502 also receives responses from the job setting management unit 506 and the job control unit 507 and outputs them to the operation unit 307.

The authentication unit 503 performs user authentication processing based on the authentication information received from the data processing device 101 and returns the result.

The device connection unit 504 performs handover using short-range wireless communication between the data processing device 101 and the image forming device 104, and establishes wireless LAN communication via the network 103.

The network control unit 505 receives job settings, job execution instruction commands, image data, user authentication information, and the like from the data processing device 101 via the network 103. Furthermore, the network control unit 505 transmits job setting information stored in the image forming device 104 to the data processing device 101 via the network 103. The job setting management unit 506 stores job setting information input by the user via the UI control unit 502 and job setting information received from the data processing device 101 or the cloud server 105 via the network control unit 505 in the ROM 203 or HDD 305. At this time, the job setting management unit 506 manages these job setting information as "favorites" as settings that the user frequently uses. In addition, the job setting management unit 506 manages custom job settings stored in the RAM 204 or storage device 209 when the system software 501 is installed as "presets". In addition, it manages job settings executed in the image forming device 104 as "history".

The job control unit 507 controls each of the processing units, the scan processing unit 511, the copy processing unit 512, the print processing unit 513, and the fax processing unit 514, in accordance with the received job settings, and executes various jobs. At this time, the job control unit 507 executes various jobs based on the job settings set by the user on the operation unit 307, or the job settings of "favorites" or "presets" registered in the job setting management unit 506. Furthermore, the job control unit 507 receives a job execution request received from the data processing device 101 via the network 103, and executes various jobs in accordance with the received job settings and job execution instructions. The job control unit 507 also transmits the job execution status and the operating status of the devices, the scanner 313 and the printer 314, to the data processing device 101 via the network 103.

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for connecting to the image forming device 104 executed by the data processing device 101. Each operation shown in Figure 6 is realized by the CPU 202 reading into the RAM 204 a program for implementing each control module stored in the ROM 203 or the storage device 209, and executing the program. Through the connection process, the data processing device 101 can execute a job on the connected image forming device 104.

The user uses the data processing device 101 to perform operations to obtain connection information from the image forming device 104. FIG. 18 is an example of a connection screen to the image forming device 104 displayed on the display 214 of the data processing device 101. In the connection screen 1801, reference numeral 1802 denotes a device connection method, which includes "automatic search," "manual search," "QR code (registered trademark)," and "nearby printer."

"Automatic search" is a method in which the device connection unit 404 uses Wi-Fi to search for an image forming device 104 that can communicate with the data processing device 101 on the network 103 via the wireless LAN terminal 102, and connects to the searched image forming device. mDNS (multicast domain name system) is used to search for the image forming device 104. The user selects the image forming device 104 detected by the search, thereby connecting to the image forming device 104 via the device connection unit 404. "Manual search" is a method in which the user inputs identification information (such as an IP address) of the image forming device 104 to be connected to the input device 215, thereby connecting to the image forming device 104 via the device connection unit 404. "QR code" is a method in which a QR code that holds the identification information of the image forming device 104 is read by a camera mounted on the data processing device 101, thereby connecting to the image forming device 104 via the device connection unit 404. "Nearby Printer" is a method in which the user connects to the image forming device 104 via the device connection unit 404 by bringing the NFC or BLE communication units of the data processing device 101 and the image forming device 104 close to each other.

The device connection unit 404 determines whether or not connection information has been acquired (S601), and if connection information has not been acquired, the process returns to S601 and continues to wait for acquisition of connection information. If connection information has been acquired, the device connection unit 404 searches for the image forming device 104 using the acquired connection information (S602). If the image forming device 104 has been found, the device connection unit 404 starts a connection with the image forming device 104 and ends the process. If the image forming device 104 has not been found, the process ends.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for requesting the image forming device 104 to execute a scan job, which is executed by the data processing device 101. The operation shown in Figure 7 is realized by the CPU 202 reading into the RAM 204 and executing the programs for implementing each control module stored in the ROM 203 or the storage device 209.

The UI control unit 402 acquires the scan information stored in the RAM 204 or storage device 209 of the data processing device 101 via the job setting management unit 406, and displays it on the display 214. FIG. 19 is an example of a scan execution screen displayed on the display 214 of the data processing device 101. In the execution screen 1901, 1902 is scan information, and displays "color setting", "resolution", "read size", and "file format". In this embodiment, the scan information is color setting, resolution, read size, and file format, but is not limited to these. 1903 is a start button for executing a scan job. The user inputs information using the input device 215 based on the scan information displayed on the display 214, and requests execution of the scan job by pressing the start button 1903.

The job control unit 407 acquires scan information input by the user (S701). Next, the job control unit 407 acquires user information such as a user name and password stored in the RAM 204 or storage device 209 of the data processing device 101 (S702), and issues a remote authentication request to the image forming device 104 (S703). Note that in S702, the job control unit 407 may acquire user information input by the user, instead of user information stored in the RAM 204 or storage device 209. Here, remote authentication is authentication for permitting the start of communication between the data processing device 101 and the image forming device 104.

When the UI control unit 402 receives from the job control unit 407 that the remote authentication was not successful (No in S704), it displays an error screen on the display 214 (S708) and ends the process. On the other hand, when the remote authentication was successful (Yes in S704), the job control unit 407 acquires operation control information (S705). The operation control information is information for preventing the image forming apparatus 104 from executing jobs other than the received job when the image forming apparatus 104 receives a job execution request from the data processing apparatus 101. The operation control information may be predetermined, or the user may select the operation control information by the input device 215 according to the selection screen displayed on the display 214. The job control unit 407 generates job execution information from the acquired scan information, user information, and operation control information (S706), transmits the job execution information to the connected image forming apparatus 104 (S707), and ends the process. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of job execution information. Job execution information 2001 includes a user name 2002, a login password 2003, scan settings 2004, and operation control information 2005. In Fig. 20, for example, the user name 2002 is UserA, the login password 2003 is 1111, and the scan settings 2004 are the contents set on the screen in Fig. 19 (automatic, 300x300, A4, PDF), indicating that there is operation control information 2005. Here, whether or not to restrict the execution of a job other than the job related to the job execution request may be indicated by the validity (ON) or invalidity (OFF) of the operation control information 2005, or may be indicated by the presence or absence of the operation control information 2005.

In this embodiment, the data processing device 101 and the image forming device 104 are connected before the user issues a scan job execution request, but the user may also establish a connection after the user issues a scan job execution request and before the remote authentication request.

Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a scan job execution process executed by the image forming device 104. The operation shown in Figure 8 is realized by the CPU 302 reading into the RAM 303 and executing a program for implementing each control module stored in the ROM 304 or HDD 305.

The job control unit 507 receives job execution information from the data processing device 101 via the network control unit 505 (S801). The job control unit 507 extracts operation control information from the received job execution information (S802) and stores it in the RAM 303 (S803). Next, the job control unit 507 extracts user information from the received job execution information (S804) and requests the authentication unit 503 to perform local authentication using the extracted user information (S805). Local authentication is authentication for permitting a user to operate on the operation unit 307 of the image forming device 104. In this embodiment, when the image forming device 104 accepts job execution information from the data processing device 101, local authentication is performed. The job control unit 507 determines whether the local authentication is successful (S806). If the local authentication is successful (Yes in S806), the job control unit 507 extracts scan information from the job execution information (S807) and transmits a scan execution instruction together with the extracted information to the device connection unit 504 (S808). This executes the scan process. Then, the job control unit 507 discards the operation control information stored in S803 (S811) and ends the process. On the other hand, if the local authentication is not successful (No in S806), the job control unit 507 discards the operation control information stored in S803 (S809), transmits error information to the data processing device 101 via the network control unit 505 (S810), and ends the process.

Figure 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a print job submission process executed by the data processing device 101. Here, the data processing device 101 is a PC, and the process is described as printing data created by an application using a printer driver. The operation shown in Figure 9 is realized by the CPU 202 reading into the RAM 4 and executing the programs for implementing each control module stored in the ROM 203 or storage device 209.

While watching the display 214, the user creates data such as an image or document in an application using an input device 215 such as a pointing device or keyboard, and instructs printing. When the application receives a print instruction (S901), it displays a screen on the display 214 that allows the user to select a printer driver of an image forming device to send a print job. After receiving from the user the selection of the printer driver of the image forming device 104 as the image forming device to send a print job (S902), the application determines whether or not a setting instruction has been received from the user (S903). If the application does not receive a print setting instruction, it proceeds to processing of S905. If the application receives a print setting instruction, it displays a setting screen of a printer driver corresponding to the image forming device 104. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen after a print instruction, and FIG. 10A is an example of a screen that allows the user to select a printer driver of an image forming device to send a job. In the screen 1001, 1002 is a display area for an image of the data to be printed, and 1003 is a button to execute printing. Reference numeral 1004 denotes a list for selecting an image forming apparatus and a printer driver to which a job is to be sent, and printer drivers for a plurality of image forming apparatuses installed by the user in the data processing apparatus 101 are displayed. The user selects a desired printer driver from the list. Reference numeral 1005 denotes a character string that can be pressed to display a setting screen for the printer driver selected in reference numeral 1004. FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of the setting screen for the printer driver, and the user sets print settings on this setting screen. In the screen 1006, reference numeral 1007 denotes a job output method, and "print" or "secure print" can be selected. "Print" outputs a job according to print settings when the job is sent to the image forming apparatus. "Secure print" is a job designated to be temporarily stored in the image forming apparatus, and a password designated by the user is assigned to the job. Reference numeral 1008 denotes a button for confirming the contents of the settings and closing the screen 1006, and reference numeral 1009 denotes a button for discarding the contents of the settings and closing the screen 1006. When printing a secure print job stored in the image forming apparatus, the job is selected on the operation unit, and then output by inputting the assigned password. After accepting a setting instruction from the user (S904), the application determines whether or not to execute printing (S905), and if it is determined that printing is to be executed, sends a data generation request to the printer driver corresponding to the selected image forming device. The printer driver creates PDL (page description language) data according to the image and document data, document attributes such as the document name, print settings, and user name (S906). It then sends this data to the image forming device 104 as a print job (S907).

Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a print job storage process executed by the image forming device 104. The operation shown in Figure 11 is realized by the CPU 302 reading into the RAM 303 and executing a program for implementing each control module stored in the ROM 304 or HDD 305.

The data processing device 101 transmits a request to execute a print job to the image forming device 104. When the network control unit 505 accepts a print job (S1101), it transmits the print job to the job control unit 507. When the job control unit 507 receives the print job, it determines whether the print job has a save setting (S1102). A job with a save setting is a job in which "secure print" is specified as the output method on the setting screen of the printer driver. If the print job has a save setting, it proceeds to processing of S1105. If the print job does not have a save setting, it determines whether the image forming device has a save setting for the print job (S1103). The save setting for the print job is set for each image forming device and is stored in the RAM 303, HDD 305, etc. If the print job does not have a save setting, the job control unit 507 proceeds to processing of S1108. If the print job has a save setting, the job control unit 507 further determines whether the print job matches the exception condition for printing (S1104). Exception conditions are conditions that cause the image forming device to perform processing other than saving even if the print job is set to be saved. Exception conditions are set in advance by an administrator or other person before printing is performed, and there are multiple settings for one image forming device.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of an exception condition setting screen. In this embodiment, an exception condition is set in which the IP address of a specific PC is used as a condition, and a print job from a PC with a specified IP address is printed without being saved. In the exception condition setting screen 1201, 1202 is an area for inputting a condition name, and the condition name "Condition Name 1" is specified. 1203 is an area for selecting a type, and an exception condition such as a specific input job owner name, a specific input source IP address, or a specific job input method (such as LPR or FTP) is selected. In Figure 12, "IP address" is selected. 1204 is an area for selecting a process for a job that matches the condition of 1203, and a process such as printing or canceling is selected. In Figure 12, "Print" is selected. 1205 is an area for inputting a specific condition according to the type of condition. In Figure 12, since the type is IP address, an area for inputting an IP address is displayed, and the IP address of the core system "192.168.8.8" is specified. 1206 is a cancel button to discard the settings, and 1207 is an OK button to confirm the settings; pressing the OK button stores the settings in the RAM 303, HDD 305, etc.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 11, if the job to be printed matches the exception condition (Yes in S1104), the job control unit 507 proceeds to the process of S1108. On the other hand, if the job to be printed does not match the exception condition (No in S1104), the job control unit 507 analyzes the print job and extracts bibliographic information (S1105). Then, the job control unit 507 saves the print job in the HDD 305 (S1106), and saves the extracted bibliographic information in the HDD 305 by linking it to the user (S1107). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a bibliographic information table. 1301 is a bibliographic information table for user User A. The bibliographic information table 1301 has, as print job input information, the date and time 1302 when the print job was input, the IP address 1303 of the image forming device to which the print job was input, and the storage location 1304 of the input print job. The print job attribute information includes a print job name 1305, print settings 1306, the number of pages in the print job 1307, whether a password is present when printing 1308, and a print status 1309 indicating whether the print job has been printed. If the processing of S1105, S1106, or S1107 fails due to a reason such as a lack of free space in the HDD 305, the processing ends. If the registration of the bibliographic information is successful, the processing ends. If there is no save setting in the image forming device in S1103, or if the job matches the exceptional condition for printing in S1104, the job control unit 507 executes the print job (S1108).

The above process completes the print job storage process.

Figure 14 is a flowchart explaining the automatic printing process after local authentication executed by the image forming device 104. The operation shown in Figure 11 is realized by the CPU 302 reading into the RAM 303 and executing the programs for implementing each control module stored in the ROM 304 or HDD 305.

The automatic print process here refers to a process of automatically executing a print job stored in the HDD 305 of the image forming device 104 by the storage process shown in FIG. 11 in response to local authentication being performed. However, if the job execution information received by the image forming device 104 from the data processing device includes operation control information, the image forming device performs control so as not to perform the automatic print process in response to local authentication.

The authentication unit 503 performs local authentication processing based on the login information input by the user via the operation unit 307 and the user management table stored in the HDD 305 (S1401). FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a login screen. Reference numeral 1501 denotes an input area for a user name, 1502 denotes an input area for a login password, 1503 denotes an input area for a login destination, and 1504 denotes a button for executing login with the input user name and login password. Reference numeral 1505 denotes a cancel button for closing the login screen. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a user management table. In the user management table 1601, reference numeral 1602 denotes a user name, 1603 denotes a login password, and 1604 denotes a role indicating the user's authority.

If the local authentication fails, the authentication unit 503 performs error processing (S1409) and ends the process. If the local authentication is successful, the authentication unit 503 notifies the job control unit 507 that the local authentication was successful and information about the authenticated user. After receiving the notification of the local authentication success from the authentication unit 503, the job control unit 507 determines whether or not the setting for automatic printing after local authentication is set (S1402). The setting for whether or not to automatically print after local authentication is performed by the administrator user from the operation unit 307. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for automatic printing after local authentication. In the screen 1701, 1702 is a checkbox for enabling automatic printing after authentication. Checking the checkbox 1702 enables automatic printing after local authentication. 1703 is an OK button for confirming the setting contents and closing the screen 1701. The setting for automatic printing after local authentication is set for each image forming apparatus and stored in the RAM 303, HDD 305, etc. If automatic printing after local authentication is not set, the job control unit 507 ends the process. If automatic printing after local authentication is set, the job control unit 507 acquires the operation control information stored in the RAM 303 in S803 (S1403) and determines whether the operation control is ON or not (S1404). If the operation control is ON, that is, if a scan job execution request is received from the data processing device 101 and a job other than the received job is not executed, the job control unit 507 ends the process. That is, automatic printing according to the local authentication is not executed. If the operation control is OFF and a scan job execution request is not received from the data processing device 101, the job control unit 507 acquires a list of bibliographic information associated with the information of the login user received by the notification from the authentication unit 503 (S1405). Next, the job control unit 507 determines the print job to be automatically printed from the acquired bibliographic information (S1406). In this embodiment, a print job that is the target of automatic printing is a job in the bibliographic information table 1301 where the password 1308 is not set and the print status 1309 is waiting to be printed, but is not limited to this. If it is determined that there is no print job that is the target of automatic printing (No in S1407), the job control unit 507 ends the process. If it is determined that there is a job that is the target of automatic printing (Yes in S1407), the print processing unit 514 executes print processing based on an instruction from the job control unit 507 (S1408) and ends the process.

Through the above processing, automatic printing processing is performed after local authentication. After the image forming apparatus 104 executes the scan processing based on the job execution request (S808), the UI control unit 402 of the data processing apparatus 101 may display a message to notify the user that a print job associated with the user has been saved in the HDD 305 of the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the UI control unit 402 may display a message to accept a user instruction to execute the print job associated with the user. After the scan processing based on the job execution request is executed, if an instruction to execute a print job is received, the UI control unit 502 executes the print processing. After the scan processing based on the job execution request is executed, the user can confirm that there is a print job waiting to be executed and then instruct the execution of the print job.

In this embodiment, a method was described in which the image forming device is controlled not to perform processing that is automatically performed in response to local authentication, based on the operation control information included in a job execution request, such as scanning, from the data processing device.

In addition, instead of the operation control information, the data processing device may include an identifier of the data processing device in the job execution request, and the image forming device may control the image forming device not to perform the process that is to be automatically executed in response to local authentication based on the inclusion of the identifier of the data processing device.

In addition, in FIG. 7, the data processing device is described as sending a scan job execution request to the image forming device, but the job content is not limited to scanning. For example, the job execution request may be related to other processes such as printing or faxing.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent print jobs other than the job designated by the user on the information processing terminal from being executed in response to user authentication performed to execute the job.

Other Examples
The present invention also includes an apparatus or system configured by appropriately combining the above-described embodiments, and a method thereof.

The present invention is a device or system that executes one or more pieces of software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments. The present invention also includes a method for realizing the above-mentioned embodiments executed by the device or system. The program is supplied to the system or device via a network or various storage media, and is read and executed by one or more computers (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device. In other words, the present invention also includes the program itself, or various storage media that store the program and can be read by a computer. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments.

104 Image forming apparatus 301 Controller unit 302 CPU
502 UI control unit 503 Authentication unit

Claims (15)

An image forming apparatus,
an authentication processing means for performing authentication processing using user information;
a receiving means for receiving from an information processing terminal a job execution request for requesting execution of a job different from the stored job stored in the storage means in association with the user;
and controlling the image forming apparatus to execute the stored job based on a successful authentication process by the authentication processing unit using user information input by an operation on the image forming apparatus, even if there is no instruction operation to execute the stored job, and
a control means for controlling the stored job not to be executed without an instruction operation for executing the stored job even if the authentication processing means has successfully performed an authentication process using user information received from the information processing terminal together with the job execution request;
having
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the receiving means receives the job execution request from the information processing terminal that has started communication after a second type of authentication process for starting communication with the information processing terminal has been successfully completed . An image forming apparatus,
an authentication processing means for performing authentication processing using user information;
a receiving means for receiving from an information processing terminal a job execution request for requesting execution of a job different from the stored job stored in the storage means in association with the user;
and controlling the image forming apparatus to execute the stored job based on a successful authentication process by the authentication processing unit using user information input by an operation on the image forming apparatus, even if there is no instruction operation to execute the stored job, and
a control means for controlling the stored job not to be executed without an instruction operation for executing the stored job even if the authentication processing means has successfully performed an authentication process using user information received from the information processing terminal together with the job execution request;
having
the control for executing the stored job based on a successful authentication process by the authentication processing means using user information input by an operation on the image forming apparatus even without an instruction operation by the control means to execute the stored job is an automatic process for automatically executing the stored job in response to a successful authentication process by the authentication processing means using user information input by an operation on the image forming apparatus,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the control by the control means to not execute the stored job without an instruction operation to execute the stored job even if the authentication processing by the authentication processing means using user information received from the information processing terminal together with the job execution request is successful, is control to not perform the automatic processing in response to the success of the authentication processing associated with the job execution request . 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the receiving means receives the job execution request from the information processing terminal that has started communication after a second type of authentication process for starting communication with the information processing terminal has been successfully completed. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job execution request includes the user information. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, when the job execution request received by the receiving means includes specific information indicating that execution of a job other than the job related to the job execution request is restricted, the control means controls so as not to execute the stored job without an instruction operation to execute the stored job, even if authentication processing by the authentication processing means using user information received from the information processing terminal together with the job execution request is successful. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, when the job execution request received by the receiving means does not include the specific information, the control means controls the stored job to be executed without an instruction operation to execute the stored job, based on the success of authentication processing by the authentication processing means using user information received from the information processing terminal together with the job execution request. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the specific information is information included based on a user operation on the information processing terminal. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, when the job execution request received by the receiving means includes identification information of the information processing terminal that sent the job execution request, the control means controls so as not to execute the stored job without an instruction operation to execute the stored job, even if authentication processing by the authentication processing means using user information received from the information processing terminal together with the job execution request is successful . 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the execution of a job requested by the job execution request based on successful authentication processing by the authentication processing means using user information received from the information processing terminal together with the job execution request. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit controls the execution of the saved job when an instruction operation to execute the saved job is received from a user after the execution of the job requested by the job execution request . The image forming device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the stored job is a secure print or reservation print job that is specified to be temporarily stored in the image forming device. A program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the image forming device described in any one of claims 1 to 11. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the image forming device described in any one of claims 1 to 11. A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising:
an authentication processing step of performing an authentication process using user information;
a receiving step of receiving, from an information processing terminal, a job execution request for requesting execution of a job different from the stored job stored in the storage means in association with the user;
and controlling the image forming apparatus to execute the stored job based on a success of an authentication process in the authentication process step using user information input by an operation on the image forming apparatus, even if no instruction operation for executing the stored job is performed;
a control step of controlling so as not to execute the stored job without an instruction operation to execute the stored job even if the authentication process in the authentication process step using user information received from the information processing terminal together with the job execution request is successful;
having
A control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that the receiving step receives the job execution request from the information processing terminal that has started communication after successfully passing a second type of authentication process to start communication with the information processing terminal . A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising:
an authentication processing step of performing an authentication process using user information;
a receiving step of receiving, from an information processing terminal, a job execution request for requesting execution of a job different from the stored job stored in the storage means in association with the user;
and controlling the image forming apparatus to execute the stored job based on a success of an authentication process in the authentication process step using user information input by an operation on the image forming apparatus, even if no instruction operation for executing the stored job is performed;
a control step of controlling so as not to execute the stored job without an instruction operation to execute the stored job even if the authentication process in the authentication process step using user information received from the information processing terminal together with the job execution request is successful;
having
The control by the control step of executing the stored job based on a success of the authentication process by the authentication process step using user information input by an operation on the image forming apparatus even without an instruction operation to execute the stored job is an automatic process of automatically executing the stored job in response to a success of the authentication process by the authentication process step using user information input by an operation on the image forming apparatus,
A control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that the control step of preventing the stored job from being executed without an instruction operation to execute the stored job even if the authentication processing in the authentication processing step using user information received from the information processing terminal together with the job execution request is successful is control of not performing the automatic processing in response to the authentication processing associated with the job execution request being successful.

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